FICTION

The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly

400p. HarperCollins/Walden Pond. Mar. 2019. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062679666.
COPY ISBN
RedReviewStarGr 4–7—Charlie O'Reilly has lost his little brother. He wished him away the night before his birthday, and now he is missing. The worst part is that no one, including his parents, believe Liam ever existed. Every trace of Liam is gone, and Charlie's insistence that he was real has driven his mother into a deep depression. His only solace is his friend Ana, who vows to help him find Liam, even though she can't remember him either. When Charlie finds a note in his room suggesting they talk to Jonathan, the new assistant baseball coach, Charlie and Ana discover there might be hope to save Liam after all. However, the quest won't be without risks, and they may have to give up more than they expect. Readers will bite their nails and cheer for Charlie and his friends every step of the way. A nuanced villain adds depth and complexity to the story, and plot turns abound, both delightful and heartbreaking.
VERDICT An original premise, tear-jerker twists, and a touching message about forgiveness make this a must-have on every middle grade shelf.

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